5 Encouragements for New Pipe Smokers

[@suspiciousninja1220]

Your number three where you talked about cheap and accessible pipes and tobaccos. You went on to talk about corn cob pipes and just buying basket pipes to get started but then you skipped over talking about tobacco and went straight to number four. Although I would already know what you're referring to but for the people that don't..... Don't go looking for esoterica and paying way overpriced for it

[@TheSpurgeonPiper]

Thank you commenting on that Robert, as right when I uploaded the video I realized I didnt address 'accessible tobacco'. I would strongly encourage newer smokers to chasing the allusive blend companies like Esoterica, Samuel Gawith, etc. Sutliff, Cornell and Diehl, the Country Squire, Mac Baren, etc, all have wonderful blends that are decently priced and readily available.

[@suspiciousninja1220]

My favorite accessible tobacco I found early on that I love was Boswell's Countryside. Mild, cool smoking and it actually has flavor you can taste

[@hobbitonpiper]

I think if I could start every new piper on Boswell Countryside I would…in addition to the reasons you named, Robert, it’s also easy to load and keep lit. And I’m personally a big fan of that blend to this day!

[@suspiciousninja1220]

@@hobbitonpiper yes sir on your points too, I can keep it let the entire bowl

[@InquisPrinciple]

Amazing recommendation, this is the perfect blend to transition from aromatics to English blends.

[@michaelventer885]

Very goog advice to beginners. Agreed. Stick to it. It is very rewarding and a thinking man's smoke.

[@hobbitonpiper]

Great thoughts! The debate over “buy a cheap pipe to start” vs “buy the best pipe you can afford to start” is an interesting one…I understand both views. To this point I too have encouraged new pipers to go with a MM cob or MM hardwood, or perhaps a relatively inexpensive briar basket pipe at their local B&M if available. I’ve sunk way too much money into interests that ultimately didn’t work out for me long term, so I guess I look at it from that standpoint. I think a person could learn the mechanics just fine with a MM Country Gentleman for example, and still come back to that cob often as an experienced pipe smoker with a lot of enjoyment.

[@TheSpurgeonPiper]

Definitely agree

[@michaelkelleypoetry]

Very good video. For my first 6 months of pipesmoking all I smoked were two "codger blends", Sir Walter Raleigh Aromatic and Granger. Since then, I still will go back to those from time to time, but my favorite three tobaccos now are probably: 1.), Mississippi River by SPC. 2.), Joan of Arc (bulk blend from Smokers Abbey Memphis). 3.) MacBaren Dark Twist I've tried others, but those three are my main rotation.

[@jobpipe]

Great and simple tips. Those who start smoking the pipe always have these problems, they should just be a little more careful, or careful, about how you load and press the tobacco first

[@gregoryhorwitz7373]

I’ve tried to find a tobacco shop that specializes in pipes or rather focuses on pipes as well as other tobaccos. Apparently there’s one in Hartford, but I cannot reach it something tells me they’re closed. I’ve gone to a couple of tobacco shops only to find cheap bag generic Pipe tobacco’s and cigars that I don’t want. I understand that they have to give what the market will bear. So to say that I received a lot of good information from KZbin is an understatement. My dad smoked pipes, And I dabbled with it when I was younger. Jumping into things with both feet is something that I am prone to do, so slowing down and being patient is adviced that I’m glad to receive. And thank God for podcasts, As well as good KZbin channels as yours.

[@TheSpurgeonPiper]

Thank you Gregory! I wish you luck in the hobby!

[@Matt_RVA]

Great points. It seems that some people buy a new pipe every week and chase the hobby, searching to fill an ever growing void or looking for the next best pipe. I hit the ground running and bought way too many pipes. Practice makes perfect and I enjoy letting the process unfold at a reasonable pace. It’s hard to slow down and not be persuaded by advertising or influenced by other people.

[@TheSpurgeonPiper]

Really good addition Matt.

[@tx_piper9631]

Great tips! In my experience, I started with a $20 basket pipe and a corn cob. I struggled with both and got frustrated like you described near the end of the video. I smoked those maybe once every few months over a span of 10 years - never fully enjoying my time. Finally, I decided to give it another shot. Bought new tobacco (non aromatic for the first time) and a Savinelli (which made me want to keep trying) and it clicked.

[@MatthewThirteenFourtyFour]

Had a very similar experience. A friend and I were learning together and struggling with bite etc, although i enjoyed the experience overall. 10 years later (Accidentally cellared some tobaccos in jars from then too, result :) ) it's a much better experience. I watch mutton chops video on the breath method and that's made a HUGE difference and I think i'm a different person too. Really enjoying it. Happy smokes.

[@wicklowpiper4097]

All excellent advice. I started at Christmas 2019 and did follow all those points , I have to say I picked it up pretty quick and could say it's second nature to me now ,one other thing is to join Facebook groups. Cheers

[@Zippo765]

Wilson, these are some great encouragements! One thing I could add in regard to the tobacco side of things is: Do not be afraid to buy bulk blends. In fact, Bulk is a good way to sample blends without committing to a large quantity. Many, if not most online retailers that sell in bulks will have a 1 or 2 ounce option that can be significantly cheaper to purchase than purchasing the same tobacco tinned. Just realize that bulk tobaccos may come a little drier than tinned tobaccos, and may need a little hydration bump. It's still a good way to sample blends you may be interested in trying.

[@TheSpurgeonPiper]

Good add my friend!

[@Bazerkly]

Buying and restoring "Estate Pipes" is a fun part of the hobby and a great way to find very good pipes on the cheap. I have about a 90% plus rate of saving and restoring old pipes!

[@SmokingCardboard]

Great advice Wilson 😊 hope you are well

[@TheSpurgeonPiper]

Thanks and you too!

[@jerryspipe]

A video rich with information on pipe smoking! As always I would add, try, try & keep trying, in the end you will enjoy the art of pipe smoking!

[@TheSpurgeonPiper]

There you go!

[@hwansikcjswo]

I am learning a lot from you! I am getting into pipe smoking and your videos are helping me a ton! Your channel is awesome!

[@TheSpurgeonPiper]

I appreciate that Hwansik!

[@briandawkins984]

Consider getting pipes that are seconds from well known pipe makers. They are reasonably priced and of good quality-usually just briar faults. One of my first pipes was, and it smoked as well as my very expensive Kirsten.

[@stefanbertasz4690]

As a newish born again pipe smoker, I disagree with some of your recommendations. Starting cheap is generally a bad idea depending on what you consider cheap. Great estate pipes can be found for

[@ParsimoniousPiper]

Great pointers. Hopefully you help save some new pipe smokers a bit of frustration (and money).

[@TheSpurgeonPiper]

Thanks brother and hopefully.

[@protestanttoorthodox3625]

I’m Orthodox Christian but I can agree with Spurgeon on pipes lol

[@nubbletv3822]

Just bought my first pipe. Looking for a certain tobacco I remeber smelling as a kid. Very sweet smelling. Look forward to the journey.

[@vikingbushcraft1911]

Corncobs are criminally underrated - I have expensive briars but often come back to a couple of corncobs, as they are easy to smoke, forgiving and generally cheap 😀

[@TheSpurgeonPiper]

I can't argue with you there, though I smoke out them quite seldom

[@Bazerkly]

There are some easy mods to improve your "Corn Cob" that can be found on KZbin 😉

[@gregoryhorwitz7373]

@@Bazerkly I took some good advice and got aftermarket corn cob stems. Vermont freehand where I found them. Because of that I know that my two corn cobs will be keepers.

[@theblishknovk]

Couldnt agree more. They smoke so well. My Savinelli and Stanwell cant even compete

[@fintandeconnachta5525]

So I'm coming from cigarettes, and vaping. Few years ago being at a LARP event and not wanting to break immersion, but not liking cigars at all, a friend let me borrow an extra pipe he had with him. I don't know what I did wrong, but it was an awful experience. Just came back to it a few days ago, giving it another try. These tips were massively helpful.

[@TheSpurgeonPiper]

Glad to hear it!

[@srwarehouseman]

Great video-wish I’d seen it a year and a half ago when I was getting started:-) I’d love it if you could make one for someone in the next stage of smoking answering questions like is it worth it to buy custom pipes, expensive lighters/tools, and are custom blends better than tins and other advice for intermediate smokers. Thanks!

[@TheSpurgeonPiper]

Love that idea Matt. Noted.

[@Bazerkly]

Buying new pipes..... "Pipes that look nice are not always the best smokers"...... In my collection I have "Smokers" and "Lookers" and they are not always the same.

[@MatthewThirteenFourtyFour]

great tips, thanks!!

[@TheSpurgeonPiper]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jjb193]

If you find a really nice pipe that you want and just have to have it, I'd say purchase it but then set it aside. Begin with a less expensive pipe then when you're ready to move up then break out that really nice pipe you purchased. Use it as a right of passage. You'll also appreciate it alot more that way

[@snaponjohn100]

I am having trouble tasting anything, but generic tobacco. When guys review their favorite blends, they list off 10 or more tastes.

[@JohnSmith-vt5ry]

As a new piper I love your info. Codgers assume we know more than we do. Can you do a video on tasting and the approach? Palet Prep if any? Part of tongue? Smoke out your nose. How? Is it helpful?

[@TheSpurgeonPiper]

Great suggestion John. I'll make a note of this and try to cover it in a future video.

[@TheSpurgeonPiper]

Got a video coming out today on this topic!

[@JohnSmith-vt5ry]

@@TheSpurgeonPiper thank you. Enjoyed it and great points. If you do 102 + I would love to know more about tongue locations, sweet, savory, etc. maybe like you did health vids could a doctor discuss tongue and flavors.

[@PedroArnaoMetello]

Hi, I am from Portugal, I smoke pipes for 2 years now. What is YTPC? Is it something I can be a member off? Is it a KZbin channel?

[@TheSpurgeonPiper]

It simply means the "KZbin Pipe Community". It's not a channel, just those who produce videos and/or stay in touch through commenting on other videos.

[@PedroArnaoMetello]

@@TheSpurgeonPiper Thank you for the quick answer, I'll just search for the #ytpc in youtube. Happy to connect with you guys from this side of the lake

[@gabemoore3189]

Just ordered my first cob and can't wait! Awesome stuff sir

[@TheSpurgeonPiper]

Glad to hear it!

[@RobbnCO]

… sound advice, something i probably should have done when i first started

[@Dreson45]

Nice video and good advice. Couldn’t agree more when it comes to cobs. Good cobs are cheaper than a pack of cigarettes and smoke very well. I have several pipes and always keep cobs in the rotation. My carry around pipe is usually a cob.

[@16lumpy]

Dan Miller hear try some Great Dane from Missouri Meerschaum in a corn cob pipe

[@thegreatone-australia1851]

Love your channel - look forward to each edition. Balanced, informative and interesting.

[@TheSpurgeonPiper]

Much appreciated!

[@Beardedfurflinger]

Pipe smoking like fly fishing,both passions of mine,to many people feel they must start out with high end everything,great video & agree,go to a local shop if available & talk to others,watch videos,those are tools & only tools,use it as a fondation for you to start

[@wadelentz-basssingingpreac9846]

If corn cob pipes were good enough for Frosty the Snowman, they're good enough for me! 😂

[@jimwrubel2180]

I agree with buying corn cobs

[@Johnnysaintrizz]

I Just smoked my first pipe (shire churchwarden $20 Amazon) with - Sutliff B23 Black & Cherry- I tasted nothing but smoke and ash. It wasn’t pleasant at all. My mouth feels weird, even after brushing my teeth. What gives? I’ve watched so many videos of ppl describing flavors and how enjoyable it is to smoke a pipe, but my experience, thus far, is awful. I think I smoked too hard, too hot, and too rapidly… PS I still have the smoke taste in my mouth.

[@TheSpurgeonPiper]

1) I wouldn't buy cheap wood looking pipes off Amazon. Most are made in China and use questionable materials or woods that shouldn't be smoked. Get some corncobs if you need to save money. 2) Black and Cherry is an aromatic blend, which was probably wet, and likely led to you smoking too quickly and hot. When that happens,. every blend will taste like smoke and ash. 3) You probably experienced tongue bite. It'll go away. Not to mention, your tongue isn't used to the experience. 4) It takes time to experience the different flavors. Be patient

[@Johnnysaintrizz]

@@TheSpurgeonPiper I ordered a Missouri Meerschaum - Legend Corn Cob - and I have two other blends to try, thank you

[@Johnnysaintrizz]

@@TheSpurgeonPiper could you recommend a good pipe for under $25?

[@wow3202]

Sound advice Wilson. It's easy to get caught up on all the best pipes and greatest blends when new to the hobby. If you make your focus singular and just take it slow you will have a better experience and waste less money.

[@TheSpurgeonPiper]

Exactly brother.

[@cocinerotomas6621]

The best beginner advice by far!!👍I remember my first pipe was a Dr. Grabow and my first blend was the Captain Black original in the white pouch. I still smoke out of Dr. Grabows, eventhough I enjoy my savinelli. Grabows are so easy to come by, and easy to break in.

[@dapiddiboy]

I smoke pipes for a year now and consider myself as a total beginner. The tobaccos I liked to start out with that are not overwhelming are Lane 1Q; as a aromatic I enjoy C&D Apricots and Creme and to start out the day Peterson Early Morning Pipe. Those are not too overwhelming and they are all ribbon cut so easy to pack. When it comes to packing a pipe I had the biggest success using “The Frank Method”. Thanks for this Video and thank you for all the Veterans welcoming new smokers and handing down the knowledge. There will be some mistakes made at the beginning but it pays out to stick with it and its fun to “learn”. It’s like stoking and maintaining a bond fire in your hand and you will get better at it. There is something primal and comforting about it just like sitting by a fire. Plus a pipe is the best companion for solitude and helps slowing down immensely. I actually make time to smoke a pipe as I don’t have a lot of time to do it. The days before my day of I start thinking about what pipe I will use, what tobacco to smoke and check the weather to plan when and where I smoke and those 2-3 hours are reserved for smoking a pipe.

[@Jbasey25]

Do you have a video or video series of the practical steps of smoking a pipe? From packing>lighting>proper drawing >through when to know you're done with the bowl?

[@TheSpurgeonPiper]

I sure don't, though I've covered those throughout other videos.. Maybe in the future I'll do one. Muttonchop will be your best route.